Service credits and a new donation drive aim to provide relief for evacuees recovering from Typhoon Halong
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – When Typhoon Halong hit Western Alaska, more than 1,000 Alaskans were forced to leave their homes with little more than what they could carry. As families continue to recover and prepare to spend the winter far from home, GCI is stepping up to help ease their financial burden.
Through the end of the year, GCI will provide full plan-fee credits to customers in Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, Napakiak, and Nightmute – some of the communities most heavily impacted by the storm.
GCI retail stores in Anchorage, Eagle River and Wasilla are collecting donations of new winter gear from November 12 through December 2 to support those displaced by Typhoon Halong.
“We’ve heard from families who lost everything and are now trying to navigate the winter months while displaced from their homes,” said Maureen McCabe Moore, GCI Senior Vice President & Chief Customer Experience Officer. “We want to make sure staying connected isn’t something they have to worry about. This is one small way we can show them they’re not alone. We’re here, and we’re committed to helping however we can.”
In addition, GCI is launching a winter gear donation drive through its retail stores in Anchorage, Eagle River and Wasilla. To jumpstart the effort, GCI is donating $6,000 worth of winter gear from Big Ray’s. The drive kicks off November 12 and runs through December 2, Giving Tuesday, and will focus on collecting new winter attire, including:
- Heavy winter coats, new, all sizes (girls’ size 7/8 especially needed)
- Children’s snow pants, new, all sizes
- Children’s snow suits, new, all sizes (urgent need)
- Winter hats, new, all sizes
- Winter boots, new, all sizes (urgent need)
“We’ve seen time and again how generous Alaskans can be when their neighbors are in need,” said Toni DeBoer, GCI Senior Director of Customer Service. “Our retail teams are going above and beyond to make this drive a success, and we’re so grateful to every person who donates to help ensure kids and families have the gear they need to stay warm and safe this winter.”
GCI staff picked out $6,000 worth of new winter gear from Big Ray’s to kick off the donation drive.
All donated items will be delivered directly to Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response organization that is helping coordinate relief efforts for those affected by Typhoon Halong. GCI will continue to share updates on urgently needed items via its social media channels, based on guidance from relief organizations.
This effort builds on GCI’s previous response efforts, which included an employee-led donation drive that collected more than 125 pallets of donated items. The company also donated $100,000 to the Alaska Community Foundation’s Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund and opened a temporary GCI service site at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, which helped more than 100 evacuees stay connected.
About GCI
Headquartered in Alaska, GCI provides data, mobile, voice and managed services to consumer, business, government, and carrier customers throughout Alaska, serving more than 200 communities. The company has invested $4.7 billion in its Alaska network and facilities over the past 45 years. Through a combination of ambitious network initiatives, GCI continues to expand and strengthen its statewide network infrastructure to deliver the best possible connectivity to its customers and close the digital divide in Alaska. Learn more about GCI at www.gci.com. GCI is an independent publicly traded company (Nasdaq: GLIBA, GLIBK, GLIBB) Learn more at https://www.gciliberty.com/.
Media Contact
Josh Edge
Phone: 907-575-3622
Email: jedge@gci.com
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